diff --git a/mode/scala.py b/mode/scala.py
index 927bb03..ab6a80b 100644
--- a/mode/scala.py
+++ b/mode/scala.py
@@ -40,9 +40,9 @@ class ScalaGrammar(Grammar):
         RegionRule('scala.comment', r'/\*', NestedCommentGrammar, r'\*/'),
         RegionRule('scala.script', r'#!.+$', ShGrammar, r'!#'),
 
-        PatternMatchRule('x', r'(:)([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)',
+        PatternMatchRule('x', r'(?<!:)(:)([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)',
                          'delimiter', 'scala.type'),
-        PatternMatchRule('x', r'(:)( +)([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)',
+        PatternMatchRule('x', r'(?<!:)(:)( +)([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)',
                          'delimiter', 'spaces', 'scala.type'),
         #PatternMatchRule('x', r'(?<=[a-zA-Z0-9_ ])(:)([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)',
         #                 'delimiter', 'scala.type'),